Portable fracture-traction splint



Aug. 12; 1952 MAHER 2,606,550

PORTABLE FRACTURE-TRACTION SPLINT Filed Nov. 19, 1949 I5 Sheets-Sheet l #25 as I 35/ I INVENTOR JAMES F. MAH'ER ATTORNEY Aug. 12, 1952 .1.v F. MAHER 2,606,550

PORTABLE} FRACTURE-TRACTION SPLINT Filed Nov. 19, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F INVENTOR JAMES F. MAHER ATTORNEY Aug. 12, 1952 J. F. MAHER 2,606,550

PORTABLE FRACTURE-TRACTION SPLINT Filed Nov. 19, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTQR JAMES F. MAH ER ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 12, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- PORTABLE FRACTURE-TRACTION SPLINT James F. Mahen s hiprock, N. Mex.

Application November 19, 1949, Serial No. 128,331

This invention relates to a portable traction splint and has for an object to provide an improved splint suitable for providing suitable traction to practically all types of fractures in the human body, and which furthermore enable the in jured patient to be easily moved while the splint is in operative position and is providing the de sired traction to the injured part, and in case of certain types of injury, permit the patient to get about by himself.

A further object of this invention is to provide a portable fracture-traction splint having a number of attachments enabling it to be used for many different types of fractures.

A further object of this invention is to provide a portable fracture-traction instrument which may be made in a smallsize especially suitable for limb fractures and in a large size especially suitable for body fractures.

A further object of this invention is to provide a portable fracture-traction instrument that can readily be brought to the patient and applied to the patient at the scene of the accident before the patient is moved, so that the broken limb, for instance, may be made secure under traction to prevent the broken ends of the bone from splintering further as the patient is being broughtto a hospital, and thereafter, that the splint may be adjusted further under fluoroscopy, if necessary without removing traction.

A further object of this invention is to provide a portable traction-fracture splint which may be applied and adjusted while the fracture is under continuous inspection by means of a flu oroscope, 'which eliminates the need for manual traction, and which may be applied and adjusted in as little as twenty minutes as compared to the several hours usually necessary when applying manual traction in placing fracture splint in position, thus greatly lessening pain and shock to the patient.

A further object of this invention is to pro vide a fracture-traction splint wherein the speed of fracture reduction is high, wherein the doctors hands are left free for manipulation or surgery if necessary, wherein the surface of the injured limb is free of contact with the splint, thereby leaving the surface of the injured limb available for such treatment, surgery, or bandaging as ma be necessary, as in the case of compound fractures and wounds on the outer surface which may need treatment.

A further object of this invention is to provide a fracture-traction splint which permits 2 Claims. (Cl. 128-84) 2 X-ray and fluoroscope inspection of the fracture during the reduction operation as well as anytime afterward, thus permitting close watch to be maintained onthe fracture during healing.

A further object of this invention is to'provide a fracture-traction splint which may be left in position until the fracture has knitted completely, and which maintains the normal length of the limb during the knitting and eliminates the possibility of the fractured bones from slipping from the proper end to end setting to a side by side setting, a too common occurrence in conventional plaster cast splints, particularly in the case of thigh bone fractures.

A further object of this invention is to provide a fracture-traction splint which may be used for manipulating the fracture into a proper position for healing, and which may either be then left in position until healing is complete, or which, if so desired, according to the nature of the fracture, may be left in position for a short while long enough for a conventional plaster cast to be applied, if such be more suitable for treating the particular fracture.

' A further object of this invention is to provide a traction-fracture splint that may be used for correcting previously incorrect fracture reductions, and then left in place for days at a time if necessary until the fracture has properly set and knitted.

A further object of this invention is to provide a traction-fracture splint having a plurality of detachable attachments making it particularly useful in many different kinds of fractures, so

that, by adding the particularly appropriate attachment, practically any type of fracture may be handled.

A further object of this invention is to provide a traction-fracture splint having suitable attachment making it particularly useful for hands, fingers, toes, upper arm and forearm, leg and. thigh bones, as well as head, chest and back fractures, etc.

A further object of this invention is to provide a portable traction-fracture splint which may also be used for carefully manipulating a dislocated shoulder or hip so as to restore the limb to its socket with a minimum of risk of further injury.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, as will hereinafter become apparent, this invention comprises the constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter disclosed, claimed, and illustrated on the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Fig. 1 is a side plan view of the traction-fracture splint of this invention, with the arm attachment in position.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of Fig. 1, showing the arm attachment in the left arm position.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the leg attachment.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the arm and leg attachment.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an angle pin for using the arm and leg attachment on the thigh fracture.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a foot attach ment.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a hand attacl1- ment.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a finger attachment.

Fig. 10 is a perspective of a hand and leg attachment.

Fi 11 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the adjustin end of the splint, with a leg and foot attachment in position.

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the head, chest and back attachment.

Fig. 13 is an end view of Fig. 12, and

Fig. 14 is a side view of Fig. 12.

There is shown at [D the traction-fracture splint of this invention comprising a strong metallic lightweight longitudinal rectangular base frame ll consisting of side bars 12 and connecting end bars I3. Secured as by welding to each end corner of the frame II is an angularly upstanding bar l4 thereby forming an upstanding triangular support for tubular sockets l5 and I6 at the upper apex. Also secured to each side base bar. l2 a distance from each end is a brace rod I! Whose other end is secured near the top of the angular upstanding end bar I4, thus firmly reinforcing the angle end bars M from folding over toward the middle when the splint is in use.

Arranged to slidably extend through the tubular socket I5 is a screw threaded traction shaft [8. A handwheel 20 threaded to fit the shaft I8 is located thereon between the outer end of the tubular socket l 5 and a handwheel keeper 2|. The keeper, 2| is a somewhat U-shaped leaf spring one end of which is riveted or otherwise secured at 22 to the adjacent end bar 13 and the other end of which is in contact with the hand- Wheel 20, thus serving the double purpose of keeping the shaft 18 is the socket l5 when not in operative use, and of keeping the handwheel 20 from turning accidentally when in operative use, while permitting it to be turned intentionally as desired. Obviously, rotation of the handwheel20 will serve to advance or retract the shaft I8 so long as it does not rotate, which it cannot while in operative use. The free end of the shaft l8 has a diametrical aperture therethrough to receive a cotter pin 23 which is inserted diametrically through athreaded sleeve 24 mounted on any one of several attachments to be secured thereon.

In Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 10 a hand and leg attachment is shown consisting of a bar 25 having a plurality of transverse apertures 26 therethrough.

Another traction attachment is shown in position in Fig. 11 and consists of a cross rod 21 extending on each side of a threadedsleeve 24 and is provided at its ends with a pair of extending short-threaded shafts 28 of the same diameter and thread as'the shaft l8.

Arranged to be secured on either the shaft I8 ments arranged or the short shafts 28 is a foot attachment 30 shown in Fig. 7 curved to fit the instep of the foot, and mounted on a threaded sleeve 24.

In Fig. 8 there is shown a hand attachment 3| on a threaded sleeve 24, while in Fig. 9 there is shown a finger attachment 32 on a threaded sleeve 24, the finger attachment 32 consisting of a cross bar 33 having five finger rods 34 extending therefrom.

The attachments just described are all intended to cooperate with the traction shaft [8, and there is also provided a number of attachto cooperate with the tubular socket l6.

The first of these socket attachments is shown in operative position in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and comprises an arm attachment 35. This arm attachment 35 consists of a U-curved metal strap 36 to the ends of which, at one side only, is secured rods 31 and 38 long enough to extend through the socket I6 and having a diametrical aperture to receive a cotter pin 40 therethrough to hold it in place in the socket l6. With rod 3'! in position, the attachment .35 is used for the left arm, while rod 38 is intended for use with the right arm.

A leg attachment 4| is shown in Fig. 4 as consisting of a curved metal strap 42 having arod 43 extending from the back thereof for cooperation with the socket l6.

In Fig. 5, there is shown an arm and leg attachment 44, similar to the one at 4|, but larger and is intended for larger limbed patients. Its curved strap 45 is provided with end slots 4'! to receive flexible strap when appropriate, and its rod 48 cooperates with the socket IS.

The slots 41 and flexible straps are intended for securing the attachment to a thigh of the patient, for instance, and in such case, either the rod 48 may be provided with an integrally extending rod having a right angle in it, or the right angle rod attachment 50 shown in Fig. 6 may be used, consisting of a socket 5| and cotter pin aperture 52 extending at right angles to a rod 53,'likewise with a cotter pin' aperture 54 for cooperation with socket I6.

In Figs. 12, 13 and 14 there is shown a head, chest and back attachment 55 having a rod 56 with its cotter pin 51 for cooperation with the socket Hi. This attachment 55, except for the rod 56, may be made of plastic, and is substantially as shown, and provided with a plurality of slots 58 through which may be placed suitable flexible straps for fastening the head, chest or back of a patient thereto. Removable supporting pins G0 may extend into the bottom for use when necessary to support this attachment 55 at a suitable height. The surface of this attachment 55 is suitably shaped and rounded to cooperate with the appropriate body parts.

In operation, one of the traction attachments is placed on the traction shaft l8 and one of the socket attachments has its rod placed through the socket IS, the traction-fracture splint l0 being made in a small size for limb fractures and in a large size for body or pelvic fractures.

Following are some examples of how each of the attachments may be used, but there will be many variations thereon, depending on the condition of the-patient, desires of the doctor, place of use, etc. After the body parts are placed in cooperative position with relation to the shaft and socket attachments, the handwheel 20 is turned to provide the necessary traction.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the splint is shown as set up for reducing a fracture of the left forearm- The arm is placed with the bend of the elbow in the curved strap 36 of attachment 35, and the fingers are taped about the rod 26. Alternatively, finger grips, of the self tightening type, or otherwise, are placed on the fingers and tied through the apertures 26. Alternatively, the hand attachment of Fig. 8 may be used, with the palm of the hand taped to the attachment 3!, leaving the fingers free. Alternatively, the finger attachment 32 of Fig. 9 may be used, with the individual fingers taped to the finger rods as thereof. The doctor will decide which particular attachment to use, depending on the conditions and the particular type and location of the fracture. When the operation takes place in a hospital, the fracture may be viewed by a fluoroscope while the traction is applied, and when it has been reduced, a plaster or other type of cast may be applied, while still held in traction, if desired to remove this splint. Instead, this splint may be left in position, with the bent elbow taped in position on the attachment 35 and the keeper 2| holding the handwheel to retain the secured traction. Due to the spacing of the frame bars 12, X-rays may be taken while the fracture is in traction.

For a lower leg bone fracture, the foot attachment 30 of Fig. 7 is placed with its threaded sleeve 24 secured to the end of screw shaft 18 and the leg attachment 4| is placed with its concave side outwardly of the splint on the socket 16, the leg bent at right angles over such leg attachment and the foot taped or bandaged to foot attachment 30 across the instep. Alternatively, the hand and leg attachment 25 could be used on a screw shaft 18, and the leg attached thereto by bone pins and links to the apertures 26. For larger limbed persons, the leg attachment 44 of Fig. 5 may be used.

For a thigh bone fracture, the leg attachment M of Fig. 5 may be secured by flexible straps about the thigh above the break, and mounted on the socket 16 by an angle rod 50, of Fig. 6, unless one is available with a right angle integrally in its supporting rod. Then, with the foot secured to the traction shaft l8, traction is applied.

For a dislocated shoulder, attachment M or M is used on socket 16 against the arm pit, the hand is secured to traction shaft 8 by one of the appropriate attachments, and traction carefully applied. The same attachments may be used for an upper arm fracture.

The head, chest and back attachment 55 shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14 is used for leg, pelvic, spinal or neck fractures. It is provided with a head recess 6!, with related belt slots 62 to secure the head and chin thereto, and with belt slots 58 for use under the arms or over the chest. The patient is placed in the large body size splint frame, with his feet attached to foot attachments 30 each on short shafts 28 on the attachment cross rod 21. Straps are placed through the chest slots 58 for lower fractures than the neck.

With neck fractures, the body of the patient is held steady by chest straps through slots 58, and the head is held in light traction by chin and head straps through slots 62.

Any different combinations and arrangements of the attachments would be used as directed by the physician in charge, and of course, gauze or other padding will be used on the attachments when and as conditions indicate.

While the preferred form of this invention has been described and shown in detail, it will be understood that this invention is not so limited, and that changes may be made within the scope of what is hereinafter claimed.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of this invention, what is claimed is:

1. A portable traction fracture splint comprising a longitudinal rectangular base frame, an upstanding low triangular support mounted at each end of said rectangular base frame, the ends of said rectangular base forming the base of the triangle, a brace member connecting the upper apex of each triangular support to each rectangular side at a point spaced from its end traction means mounted on said upper apex of one of said frame end supports, a body part attaching means mounted on said traction means and another body part attaching means mounted on said upper apex of the other frame end support.

2. A portable traction fracture splint comprising a longitudinal rectangular base frame, an upstanding low triangular support mounted at each end of said rectangular base frame, the ends of said rectangular base forming the base of the triangle, a brace member connecting the upper apex of each triangular support to each rectangular side at a point spaced from its end traction means mounted on said upper apex of one of said frame end supports, a body part attaching means detachably mounted on said traction means and another body part attaching means detachably mounted on said upper apex of the other frame end support, each triangular end support including a hollow socket at said upper apex, said body part attaching means mounted on the other frame end support including a socket rod arranged to extend through said hollow socket, and means to retain said socket rod in said socket.

JAMES F. MAKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 959,389 Rodgers May 24, 1910 1,216,434 Geiger Feb. 20, 1917 1,287,513 Tascarella Dec. 10', 1918 2,053,632 Putney Sept. 8, 1936 2,101,889 Anderson Dec. 14, 1937 

